the boy fancied another attempt was being made to crawl
through, and he discharged both weapons in rapid succession.

"Now we've got him!" a voice shouted, and before Sam could reload the
guns two or three men were in the chamber.

He crouched in the further corner hoping to slip the cartridges in the
barrel, while they should be hunting for him; but one of the party
ignited a match, and an instant later he was held as if by bands of
iron.

"Light your lamps, an' be lively about it, for there's another one
here!"

Sam made one violent effort to release himself; but in vain. When the
chamber was illuminated he saw a crowd of men peering in every direction
for Fred.

"It's Bill Thomas' butty," one of the party said in surprise. "I didn't
know he was a bosses' pet."

"Neither will he be very long. Where's the other fellow?" and Sam's
captor tried to choke the answer from him.

"If he don't speak quick strangle him. We can't spend much time on a
kid," some one suggested, and the question was repeated.

Sam knew that the men were in no humor to be trifled with, and there was
little doubt but the strangling would follow unless he obeyed. It was
possible to delay the explanations for a few seconds, and thus give Fred
so much more time to reach the lower level.

With this view he coughed and struggled after the vice-like pressure
upon his throat was removed, to make it appear as if it was only with
the greatest difficulty he could breathe, and fully a moment was thus
gained when his captor kicked him two or three times as he said:

"None of that shamming. Speak quick, or I'll give you something to cough
for."

"The fellow who was with me went back to the slope."

"How long ago?"

"When we first knew you were here."

"That's a lie, for we heard you talking."

"What makes you ask any questions if you know better than I?"

"When did he leave?"

"I told you before. Of course he waited long enough to find out how many
there were of you."

At least five minutes had passed from the time Sam was first questioned,
and this must have given Fred a safe start.

"Go after him, Zack, and take Jake with you," the spokesman said,
sharply. "Travel the best you know how, for everything depends on
overtakin' him."

The two men started at full speed, and the leader asked Sam:

"Where is Joe Brace?"

"Brace?" Sam repeated, as if in bewilderment, "Why he didn't come with
us."

"Wasn't he in this place when you got he